Trying to Get Back Into it...Again

We had a health fair here in our offices last week and part of what came out of it was a free, pilates session at the gym connected to our building. I should have known...there is no such thing as free. I scheduled my session and thought, "Well, at least I'll get a look at the table and see if it's something I might like to try." So, I get back to the gym and listen to a personal trainer tell me about things I already know. Then, I answer all of her questions with all of my standard, wife-of-a-personal-trainer answers. She's blown away, but then realizes that, "Of course, she would know the answers to these questions." She weighs me, takes a body fat analysis and takes all sorts of measurements, then we discuss goals. At the end, she presents me with the numbers and costs of all of their training plan options. Crap! A sales pitch!

So, I came back to my office and informed my coworker to just go ahead and cancel her freebie, since it's just going to be a sales pitch anyway (despite the "test" we took, everyone who attended the fair probably got a free training session) . Why, bother. I didn't even get to see the pilates table! Oh, well. At least now I know how large I really am.

I was off to a good start last week and the week before (even though I did not document it on Road to Fabulous). I worked out three maybe four times a week, then we went on our adventure to Vegas. I've been trying to get back to a regular schedule...hoping that I can do that and be back at the workouts next week. Hubby called last night and asked if we could do some of our workouts together. I know what it's going to take for me, now. I just need to put all of this in his hands. I have faith that he can manage my personal training better than anyone else because, 1. He knows how psychotic my schedule is right now and, 2. He knows me better than anyone else. It's so time to get serious! I just don't want to shop for bigger clothes...I can't!

When he calls again, I'll just go ahead and tell him. Now that I think about it, when I was doing so well with my circuit training and workouts at the gym, it was because of a plan he came up with, not me. I just managed my diet on my own. Ha! By George, I think I've got it! (Isn't it weird when people type during a light-bulb moment?)

People are starting to sign up for the pot-luck we're having next Tuesday. I'm glad because folks around here are notorious for waiting till the last minute. Our newest department add-on seems freaked out about bringing a dish or dressing up. I showed him slide shows of our previous Halloween festivities and told him that we have a great time around here. I hope we don't come across as a bunch of nuts to him, but hey...you have to work in the same building day after day after day, why not have one day where things are a little unusual?

It's been a pretty good day, overall. I got up and worked then hubby called. We talked about how horny we were. Sad, I know. The next thing I know, I hear the garage door opening. Music to my ears! He shaved, showered and pleasured his wife, "It's not about me," he said. Damn, that's love.

Halloween Memories

I was thinking about past Halloweens, which I tend to do this time of the year. Hubby and I were talking about our fond memories of door-to-door treats and mountains of goodies. We also discussed how we both remembered the time when you could get hot cider, cupcakes and popcorn balls from neighbors without the worry of poisioning or hypodermic needles. Halloween brings up so many wonderful memories (as I've said, I had a rockin' childhood) of school, friends and amazing costumes. We had a Halloween parade every year at my school in California. I've been a witch, a fairy, a blue bird, Wonder Woman (of course) and a gypsy as a child. The teen years were pretty thin (I ended up hosting my own, house parties towards the end, just to get in a little horror movie, junk food and costume time).

As an adult, I think I've gone through the gambit! A Goddess, an 80's chick, a Rivendell elf, Foxy Brown, and Lilly Munster. This year, will prove to be just as fun (if I can get into my costume. It's sort of debatable right now. I'd better try it on this weekend, then run out and get a girdle if things prove troublesome). I'm looking forward to our parties and activities around here for that day. It sort of sucks that it falls on a Tuesday. I always feel like a zombie (no pun intended) the day after, not from alcohol or anything, just from the rev of adrenaline that seems to happen during the day. Everyone's walking around laughing, getting into character and eating way too much candy.

So, my fondest Halloween memories are many but I do have a great memory of trick-or-treating. I was about six or seven and my friend (we'll call her Tracey) invited me to her house to trick-or-treat and to their halloween party. There were other girls from my school who went as well (and I remember being happy that they were all girls I liked). We dressed at her house and she and her sister ended up putting me in 2 inch pumps. I was a clown, so the need for pumps was a little strange. Two of the girls went as Madonna and one as Cindy Lauper. Hey, it was the age and I remember thinking they looked really good.

We headed out, collecting candy from multiple houses...she lived in Hollywood somewhere, so it was good candy, not the $.99 cent kind that has no flavor and gets stuck in your teeth. I remember going to one particular house that must have been a mansion! The lady was beautiful and gracious, requesting that we take as much as we wanted from her huge caldron of mega-sized candy bars. Later, we were chased by teenagers who thought it would be great to through eggs at the younger kids trick-or-treating. We all got smashed, but not too bad. Tracey's mother cleaned us all up after wards, then we ate whatever goodies she'd made. It was a great night.

Halloween was also the night I met a guy that I saw pretty seriously for a while, we'll call him Daniel. He was the roommate of my girlfriend's boyfriend. (Did you get that ?) We were juniors in high school, while they were freshmen in college. Major league! I had just come home from work (I was a cat that year - leotard, tights, ears, tail and long satin gloves). I was working it...damn, was I brave. Many of my guests had already arrived, by the time I'd made it home. My mother had agreed to a coed party with all the guys needing to vacate by 3:00am. We were about half and half with the boy to girl ratio. When my girlfriend's (we'll call her Crystal) boyfriend arrived with his roommate, I was blown away. Super fine and totally unaware of it. We sat next to each other, watching one movie or another when he took my hand and compared it to his. We had the same sized hands. Oh, I was enchanted with him.

As far as Halloween as an adult, it's been lots of fun too. Dressing up my daughter and watching her parade around as her favorite character/person/animal for a day, is a treat in and of itself. We always have pizza on Halloween night and when she returns from trick-or-treating, we both give out candy to all the trick-or-treaters who visit our door. Although the baby won't have a clue what's going on, she'll certainly be adorable in big sister's, hand-me-down Tigger costume.

Weekend Excursion

My last post was what I was working on last Thursday and was interrupted by time. I did get my hair braided and it's lovely. Did I mention that my hubby asked me to take Friday, October 20th off a few weeks ago? I did and had no idea what was up, until I got home from my hair appointment. The dog was gone (clue 1) and he asked me to pack a suitcase for the girls (clue 2). That evening, as we lay in bed snuggling, he told me that we would be gone until Sunday afternoon. Still, no idea as to what lay ahead.

The next morning, we took our eldest to school and dropped my car of at the shop to get my tune up and fuel system tune up. Then, off to my mother's to drop off our baby. Drop off the baby?! My mother took the day off to take care of her, at my hubby's request. Amaing! I was completely awestruck. Normally, you have to book an appointment with her, just for the girls to have a play date. The next stop was hubby's bank for quick cash then, off we went on the open road. We talked for hours and hung out like we did when we used to date. It was fantastic! We ended up in...

LAS VEGAS!!

The Orleans was our place of refuge. What a beautiful hotel! Of course, I always forget that I'm going to smell like a smokestack after walking through a casino. Ugh! The room was large with a fabulous, king-sized bed. That Friday, we went to the outlet stores and did a bit of shopping. Afterwards, we grabbed something to eat then back to the hotel. Before going down to the casino, hubby had his wicked way.

We walked around the pit area to get better aquainted with what the hotel had to offer. Several eateries (including our favorite, the French Market Buffet), three bars, two lounge areas, a bowling alley (75 lanes), a huge arcade and a movie theater. The color scheme was inviting and fun, without being tacky and univiting. It was fabulous! We left the hotel briefly and visited the Albertsons down the road where we found liquor at discount prices. Sweet! We stocked up (damn you Utah state liquor stores!) Back to the hotel after our little tour, jaunt to the grocers and this time, I had my wicked way with hubby.

Saturday morning, we dined at the French Market buffet and remembered why we loved it so much. It was awesome! Then, off to the Ross Dress for Less for more shopping. We picked up several Christmas items for the girls and other family members. Afterwards, around the corner to the Stratosphere. Hubby buys the Xtreme pass which gives us access to everything in the tower and an unlimited ride pass. Ohmigosh! Those were the scariest rides I've ever been on (insert scary ride pictures/Insanity, Xscream and Big shot). We took picture of me looking like I was about to meet my maker. You know, I'm as adventurous as the next person and I love thrill rides, but this took things to a whole new level. You're 900 feet above the city just hanging there or spinning or dropping. It's so intense! I could only manage one ride each, hubby was off and going for a second ride. I was supportive from a distance.

Next, down Sahara and over to Maryland Parkway. I'm in Vegas, so I gotta buy hair. Seems strange, I know but there aren't a lot of resources here in Utah. Usually, I pay $2.00 or more per bag of pre-braided hair for the babe. In Vegas, it's half that. We stocked up then off to Popeyes for lunch, which unfortunately wasn't very good. Back to the outlet stores (hubby needed dress shirts for church) where we shopped for a few hours. In 'n Out for dinner! Can't go to Nevada or California without a stop there. At the hotel, we gambled a bit on the Star Wars slot machine, where I won about fifty bucks and hubby about sixty. I continually expressed my thanks and love for his planning prowess and ability to keep it secret from me. It was the best weekend I've had in years!

By Saturday evening, we were missing our girls and looked forward to the return home to see them. Even though we missed them, this did not stop us from drinking ourselves into a stupor and then knocking wholes in the wall (or at least, that's what it sounded like). I guess our neighbors got an ear-full. With kids in the house, noise levels must be maintained. Not so when you're away and no one knows who you are.

Sunday, we made our way home, picked up our girls and relaxed for the weekend. I will never forget this kindest of gestures, not just because hubby gave me the "skys the limit" okay, but because he recognized how tired I was and burned out, then did something about it. I'll always be grateful for that. Now, it's back to reality.

My Life in Hair (Unfinished from 10/19/06)

It seems a funny sort of topic, but it's relevant for the day I can assure you. Tonight, I will be back in my braids. The plan was to have them in by late October, early November but, hubby put the pressure on. It seems funny that my hubby would have so much influence on something that may seem insignificant to a man but, he rarely asks for anything in regards to my appearance. He loves that I don't wear make-up and that my hair pieces are totally an accessory to me. He embraces my love of jewelry and contributes to the cause of his own free will. So, when he kept asking, "When are you getting your braids back," I went ahead and moved the date closer . Tonight, I will sit while I my beautician adds to my "crown and glory."

It seems to be consistent with African-American women; our hair is so important. Not to say that it isn't for other cultures, but for those of us with "nappy roots", we spend our fair share of time and money making it look the best that it can. Most black women have stories to tell, when it comes to their hair. I am no different. As a child, my mother subjected me to the ten foot fro with the headbands (mama, why?), sending me on my way to Sunday school with hair that nearly touched the ceiling. For me, I hated the constant picking, tugging and pulling it took to get it that way. I was no fan of the "hot" comb (pressing comb) either. Sitting for hours in a bar stool while she waited for a comb of metal on the eye of the stove to reach searing temperatures--then, to drag it's teeth through my natural tresses (and occasionaly touching my neck or temples) to make me look "pretty". Ugh! Who needs it! Well, that was me until the age of seven. Then...Cornrows! Every few months, a new do complete with beads in a variety of colors. I was admired and adored.

In the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-four a new style emerged. My entire family embraced the curl, complete with it's never ending supply of activator. Greasy bus windows and pillow cases abound! What the hell were we thinking? At least our hair was moisturized and absent of heat. Many of us can attribute our one time of "long hair" to the curl.

Once Michael had his accident and we figured out that, "Gee, we're all flammable," my curl gave way to more cornrows. At fifteen, my first relaxer. I loved that I could get straight hair with just the blow of a dryer...I hated the retouches (still do). Short, layered, long the relaxer allowed me to look like my counterparts, but also go through the daily drama of keeping it maintained. Who needs it!

Is My Daughter Hormonal?

My oldest, who is only six, is dealing with a lot of sensitivity these days. Not long ago, we were having a girls' weekend and I rented Ever After for her to watch (after all, it is a Cinderella story and the babe is all about the princesses). So, we get to the scene where Danielle arrives at the masquerade in her stunning gown, complete with fairy wings and the evil stepmother rips the wings off of her dress. I had actually gotten up to go to the bathroom, so I didn't see the scene myself; however, when I came back, the babe was sobbing...not crying, not whimpering. We're talking full on funeral tears. I asked her what was wrong, and she restated the scene description above telling me that, "They were so mean to her!" between sniffles and red eyes. I sat with her and consoled her. For ten minutes (no exaggeration on the time) she carried on then finally calmed down.

A couple of weekends ago, Imitation of Life came on. Now, I know I'm behind having never seen this movie until then. I'd heard wonderful things and I was not the least disappointed. The babe had been practicing on her roller skates in the kitchen. Every so often, she would come back into my room where I was watching the movie and ask questions about what was happening with the characters and so forth. Honestly, I don't remember when it happened but, at some point, she found her way onto my bed totally immersed in the story. By the time the housemaid Annie is dying in bed, the babe was in hysterics. My hubby called her into a different room and tried to get her to talk about other things (attempting to get her mind off of the drama that was unfolding on the television screen). It didn't work. She came back into the room to resume the movie and involve herself with the characters once more. It was so sad and I was struggling to keep it together myself. The babe didn't care. She let the tears flow...this time, for a substantially longer time than with the aforementioned movie.

(Oh! And one day I grabbed her by the underarms to lift her up into a shopping cart. When I went to wipe my face later, what I smelled was not stinky kid smell, but someone who needs deodorant desperately. Dang it! She's too young!)

The scarier thing that seems to be happening is her intense anxiety about her sister. She has awakened from nightmares about her sister being abducted. Yesterday, she hardly ate lunch at school and ended up crying in a teacher's arms because she was convinced someone was going to kill her sister. My hubby believes it's due to their being such good buddies and such close sisters (even with the age gap) that she has anxiety about loosing their close connection. The babe has spent a lot of time home with us. Oh, certainly. She plays with kids at school, at summer camp and at her daycare when she went, but at home? Very rarely is she just hanging out with the neighborhood kids. It's just now that she's showing interest in doing so. Most of the neighbor kids are boys and (in an earlier post) the girls next door are now living with their dad. Plus, they (the girls next door)weren't the best of playmates, in my opinion. Maybe I'm too much of a snob but, they had some not-so-great habits.

Now, it's turning cold and many of the kids are going back indoors to play. Granted, some of the hellions will be out rain or shine, snow or sleet. But, with the babe's sensitive immune system, she won't be out nearly as much. So, who does she have? Me, dad and sissy. I can't help but wonder if somehow this is anxiety that I bred into her with things I've said to her. You know, when I tell her, "Don't hold your sister, or she might fall and bump her head," or " Make sure you're keeping an eye on your sister. Don't let her pull on those cords. We don't want her to electrocute herself." It's nuts! I have to keep her safe and help big sis understand why, but am I starting things I shouldn't within her? My coworkers think that she just may be a sensitive soul. If that's the case, it's going to be interesting dealing with teen angst. Ugh! I'm not ready! What if it's starting now? At six?! They say, every generation matures a bit earlier than the last. I remember going to the mall to buy a C-cup bra at just over ten years old! Is that what's in store for me?

All I can do is pray and hope for the best. I don't understand it and it's hard to watch, but I'll be there for her and help her the best that I can.

Let's Play Tag!

Four things about me:Things you may or may not have known about me in no particular order.
A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Animal Hospital
2. Thomas Nelson Book Publishing Company
3. J.C. Penney
4. Cassette Productions

B) Four movies I would watch over and over again:
1. Jane Eyre
2. Predator
3. Carrie
4. Three Women

C) Four places I have lived:
1. Sylmar/Lake View Terrace, CA
2. Daytona Beach
3. Nashville
4. Salt Lake City

D) Four television shows I watch:
1. Family Guy
2. Futurama (Hooray Cartoon network!)
3. Golden Girls
4. I love the 80's, 90's, 70's...I love those shows!

E) Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Wolf Creek, UT
2. Florida
3. Oceanside, California
4. Las Vegas, Nevada

F) Websites I visit daily:
1. www.google.com
2. www.ebay.com
3. www.yahoo.com
4. a variety of blogs I love!

G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Anything that makes syrup taste better
2. Crab legs (claws, if yah got 'em...I'm no sissy. I'll open them with my teeth.
3. California Rolls (sushi)
4. My mom's cooking

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. On a beach
2 Hangin' with hubby
3. On a beach
4. Did I mention on a beach?

I) Four people who I think will respond back to me:
1. Anyone
2. who
3. wishes
4. to

"There's a Big Difference Between Stickin' and Munchin'"

I don't know what made me think of that, this morning. It's something I said a while back that came to mind and made me giggle, this morning. A couple of years ago, my friend and I were talking about her baby sister (they are about four or five years apart in age...so, the sister is in her late 20's). Anyway, I was asking about, we'll call her Lavender (the baby sister) and what she was up to. "How's her son?" and "Is she seeing anybody special?" That sort of thing. Well, my friend starts telling me about the latest guy she's just "let go" and how nice he was to her. It figured that she would dump him. Then, my friend says that she has other suspicions about why she dumped him.


It seems Lavender has been hanging around with this girl, will call her Camille and my friend has no doubts that Camille is gay. Lavendar seems aware and completely oblivious to that fact. My friend begins to tell me about the time they (my friend, her boyfriend [now husband]), Lavender and Camille were talking about going to a club. Lavendar and Camille mention this club that has great, old-school hip-hop that they play on Friday nights. They all decide it's a good idea and go to this club. My friend said that, when they got there, the music was going and the energy was great, but she noticed something odd. There were very few men and the ones that were there were all hugged up with each other. She then noticed that she was the only woman there with a man.



No problem. You can still have a good time at a gay club if your heterosexual, but my friend was still perplexed by her sister's choice of club. My friend then told me that she started noticing other things like, how'd she put off going out the with great guy to hang out with Camille. Those few times she would go out with him, Camille would constantlycall, asking where she was and when she'd be home. When she wasn't out with him or working or having a life, Camille was always there...hanging onto her like a dog to a piece of meat."She would basically stalk her, Enchantress," is what my friend told me.


So, Camille continued to come over (daily, now) and Lavender had since dumped the would-be boyfriend.


"Do you think they're doing anything?" I asked her.


"I really don't know," she said.



"Lavender's just gay, now I guess, huh? I mean, you can't just "turn" gay, can you? I don't know if I could be like, 'hey, guys are great. I like guys!' to, 'forget guys, girls are great. I like girls!' There's a big difference between stickin' and muchin'. "



Somehow my saying this broke the frustration my friend had been feeling and she just became overwhelmed in hysterics. We both laughed for a long while. She later said that her frustration came more from her sister stringing along such a nice guy, since she obviously didn't want anything to do with him. Gay or straight, it wasn't right for her to do this. Anyway, she's since started dating another guy but keeps Camille and another lesbian as close friends. My friend has just decided that Lavender will do what she'll do with her own life, she just hopes she makes up her mind soon.

Professional Card Holder - Bodybuilder Extraordinaire!

And the winner is...my hubby!! Oh, man. What a weekend! Hubby competed in his natural, bodybuilding competition and won that sucker. It was amazing! They had to open the categories because there were so few contestants. Normally, you have light-weight, middle-weight, Light-heavy weight and heavy weight but they were all grouped to gether (open) making the competition fierce. Now knowing what to look for, it was difficult to tell during the prejudging, who the ultimate winner would be. Everyone brought their A-game for sure. Physiques were impressive and their eyes were on the prize. Unlike his first show in 2000 where I knew he bested everyone in his group, this one was tough. Even the judges were unsure (and they usually know their winner during prejuding).

During the evening event, they had them pose even more in order to rank the contestants. Hooray for hubby! Now, he is considered a profesional bodybuilder and can compete on the national level. I'm so proud of him. I'm not sure if he will, but I'm encouraging him to try. Who knows where this could lead him.

The evening of, he was asked to an after-party hosted by several people who work-out at his gym. Do you know that he turned them down to hang-out with me? I was so touched, especially knowing how much planning these people had put into it and that he won (so it would naturally become his party). I was completely touched. I was also touched that, during his pose-down, the master of ceremonies read his information and stated that he (hubby) was dedicating this show to me. How sweet! I've got a good egg (well, most of the time - wink, wink).

The rest of the weekend was spent treating hubby to binges and fun food. The poor guy's been living on shredded wheat, oatmeal, tilapia with cayenne flakes and steamed broccoli and spinach for the last week and a half. He was very happy to have salt and sugar back in his life. He's totally inspired me to get back into it, not that I want to bodybuild, just be tone and fab again. Now, if I could just get those dang kids on a schedule where working out wasn't such drama, that would be nice.